Into the blue with the Aviation

The Aviation is an elusive brew. Its recipe is heavily debated – if you ask six mixologists how to make one, you’ll get a dozen answers!

The original recipe called for gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and – crucially – crème de violette, the violet liqueur that gives the drink its ethereal blue shade and lightly floral notes. Some barkeepers feel that modern crème de violette isn’t up to snuff and prefer to substitute Crème Yvette, a different, spicier violet liqueur; others dispense with the violet element altogether and add extra maraschino liqueur. In any event, here is your flight plan for the classic Aviation.

Ingredients

Ice Cubes

1⅓ Parts Gin

⅔ Part Maraschino Liqueur

⅔ Part Lemon Juice

¼ Part Violet Liqueur

1 Twist Lemon Peel

Preparation

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add 1⅓ parts gin. Add ⅔ part maraschino liqueur. Add ⅔ part lemon juice. Add ¼ part violet liqueur. Shake until chilled, then pour into a cocktail glass.
A twist of lemon peel is the traditional garnish. To be truly authentic, use a flamed peel.